Dallas Stars Blog

Brad Richards not surprised by Stars’ success

Brad Richards is happy in his new home and happy with his decision this summer to leave the Stars.

That doesn’t mean he didn’t like Dallas, it’s just that the Stars weren’t offering what the Rangers were — and that doesn’t just mean a nine-year contract worth $60 million.

“Where they were at the time, there was just so much uncertainty, and I had been through that before,” he said of a shaky ownership situation that led to his departure from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the trade that brought him to the Stars. “I’m happy to be here with an orginal six team. There’s great tradition here.”

In fact, the move to New York couldn’t be working out better for Richards. The Rangers are 17-7-4 and he has 11 goals and 14 assists.

“The team has had a chance to grow together for a few years, and I got to jump in at the right time,” Richards said. “The staff has been here, the young guys know what’s needed of them, it’s a team game, nothing more than that.”

He also said he likes the Stars and what they are doing.

“We were a good team last year and could have been in the top five in the conference, that’s how close it was,” he said of a squad that crumbled down the stretch under the weight of several injuries. “I’m not surprised that they’re right there” this season.